The Operation Round-Up® program has been helping area organizations and communities for six years. In that time, members who contribute by rounding up each month have assisted 97 organizations with $416,667 in spare change to make big impacts in places we all call home.
The FreeState Community Foundation facilitates the program with the help of a volunteer member committee that reviews and awards grant funds quarterly. The volunteer committee members are:
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Brad Parker, Silver Lake
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Melinda Harwood, McLouth
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Morgan Starcher (Murrfield Farms), McLouth
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Deron Johnson, Silver Lake
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Carol Marple, Wakarusa
The committee allocations are all made possible by the generosity of members participating in the program. No matter how great or small the act, every time we give back, we strengthen our community. It only takes a few coins a month to add up to a significant change for our local communities and volunteer-driven organizations across the FreeState service territory.
For more information on how to apply for funding, visit www.freestate.coop/ORU. Applications can be completed online. APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE: MARCH 1, JUNE 1, SEPTEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 1 of each calendar year. Please notify our billing department if you’d like to opt out (or in) to Operation Round-Up® by calling 800-794-1989.
Below are the allocations in 2022 equaling $60,775. Those dollars provided 17 local organizations funding to carry out the cooperative principle of concern for community across FreeState’s nine county service territory. We sincerely appreciate members who participate in this charitable giving program. We could not do what we do for our communities without you.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - $7,500
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas makes sure that people of ALL faiths and their families have access to emergency assistance in order to truly stabilize their unique situations. Funding allocated supported the Leavenworth County Emergency Assistance program.
Race Against Breast Cancer (RABC) - $5,000
Funding is allocated for the program’s no-cost mammography which pays for mammography screening for those in medical and financial need in the Kansas counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee and Wabaunsee. Men and women of all can qualify for our no-cost mammograms if they meet county and income qualifications.
McLouth Public Library - $1,500
The McLouth Public Library brought Movies in the Park to McLouth area families during the summer.
Historical Little Stranger Church - $250
Funding went toward updating wiring and bringing the building up to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Oskaloosa Larner-Segraves Legion Post 36 - $2,150
Funding assisted the Legion Hall in Oskaloosa with replacement of windows. The hall serves the Oskaloosa community.
Jefferson West – USD 340 - $4,875
Funding to replace the butcher block counter in the high school kitchen.
Topeka North Outreach - $1,500
The Caring Committee of Topeka North Outreach provides emergency assistance to individuals and families who are facing financial crisis situations. The Caring Committee works in conjunction with Topeka Rescue Mission to provide food baskets to individuals/families in need of food assistance.
Perry Pride Organization - $5,000
Perry Pride has been working on a multi-faceted plan that will impact the USD 343 park complex on school grounds and the City’s Railroad Park associated with the Community Building. The school park components will have a health and fitness focus and Railroad Park will have a family focus.
Silver Lake Public Library Foundation - $7,500
The Silver Lake Public Library Foundation has been fundraising and raising money to repair the Silver Lake Library's east and west exterior walls. These concrete walls are currently crumbling onto the sidewalk and neighboring roofs and has become a safety concern for the community.
Leavenworth County Master Gardner’s- $3,500
Master Gardner’s of Leavenworth County collaborate with the Livestock Committee to provide youth in the area with opportunities to learn through educational clinics. The clinics provide educational materials, as well as hands-on experience.
Silver Lake Education Foundation -$2,000
The foundation received funding to purchase Launchpads for the Silver Lake Elementary School Innovation Lab. The lab received Launchpads to utilize in preschool classrooms. The Launchpads are pre-loaded and will be able to help in developing fundamental skills and fine motor skills. Fundamental skills include letter and number recognition, sight words, and other topics related to STEAM.
God’s Storehouse - $4,000
Funding provided to God’s Storehouse will help the organization provide food security to areas of Jefferson County, as well as make repairs needed to continue providing meat and milk to those facing food insecurity.
Jefferson County Humane Society - $6,000
Funding will assist the organization in upgrading kennels and fencing for the safe and secure housing of animals at facility. The fenced in area will also have built in protections from wind, heat, and precipitation, as well as adequate flooring for animal comfort.
Douglas County 4-H Foundation- $2,000
The Douglas County 4-H Foundation collaborates with K-State Research and Extension Douglas County for an educational event called Day on the Farm. Day on the Farm is provided to Douglas County 4th-grade classes at no cost. Day on the Farm offers students an opportunity to learn the value of agriculture and directly educate 4th-grade students about production agriculture, conservation, soil health, nutrition, and career exploration.
Oskaloosa Library - $5,000
Funding will provide a new HVAC system for the library.
Auburn Community Center - $3,000
The funding will provide needed upgrades to lighting at the Auburn Community Center, including the library. Work will be done by volunteers, and funding will provide the materials to do the work.